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Research · Compact Cars

2005 Honda Civic HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 48 owner complaints for the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid. Most complaints involve power train (21) and air bags (15). The EPA rates it 40–41 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
40–41mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
48
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$1,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V501000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2019NHTSA 19V182000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

48 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2011 – Mar 2019
  1. Power train21
  2. Air bags15
  3. Electrical system11
  4. Vehicle speed control4
  5. Engine2
  6. Fuel/propulsion system2
  7. Engine and engine cooling2
  8. Structure2
  9. Exterior lighting1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Civic Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200435
200548
20061,459
20071,268
2008980
2009424
2010410
2011166
2012454
2013310
2014282
2015365
202515
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

21 reports
“MY AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYS ON. NO CODES COME UP WHEN AUTO REPAIR SHOP HOOKED IT UP SO I CAN'T EVEN GET A DIAGNOSIS AND ATTEMPT TO REPAIR. THE SAFETY HAZARD ASPECT WORRIES ME IMMENSELY BUT IT'S MY ONLY VEHICLE SO I'M FORCED TO DRIVE IT REGARDLESS. ALL AVAILABLE RECALLS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. MY CAR HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AFTER I PUT IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN I'M AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HESITATES TO SWITCH GEARS TO ACCELERATE AT A NORMAL RATE TO SAFELY MERGE ONTO A ROAD OR INTERSTATE WHETHER I'M STOPPED FIRST OR TURN RIGHT IN AT A LOW SPEED AND ATTEMPT TO MERGE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2019Power train, Air bagsODI 11182689

Air bags

15 reports7 crashes
“TAKATA RECALL. HONDA DID A SAFETY RECALL IN 2015 BUT IN 2017 I GOT THE AIRBAG SIGN AGAIN IN CIVIC HYBRID AND IT'S NOT GOING EVEN MECHANIC TRIED TO REMOVE IT WITH OBD. OTHER PROBLEM IS WITH IMA SYSTEM, IT WORKS OFTEN SOMETIMES AND SIGN STAYS AT THE DASHBOARD. HONDA SHOULD RECALL FOR AIRBAG AND IMA SYSTEM AND FIX IT PERMANENTLY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2018Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11062508

Electrical system

11 reports
“CVT TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY SHAKES AT SPEEDS 0-10 AND CAUSES AUTO STOP TO ENGAGE AT ALL TIMES EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING THROUGH CONGESTED TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. IT PERFORMS POORLY WHEN IN MOTION IN ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY WHEN DRIVING VERY SLOW OR AFTER ACCELERATING AT A STOPLIGHT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2017Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11043157
All 2005 Civic Hybrid problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.3L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Civic Hybrid
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L, HEV LB · Front-Wheel Drive
394241$1,500217
Civic Hybrid
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, HEV LB · Front-Wheel Drive
384541$1,500217
Civic Hybrid
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L, HEV · Front-Wheel Drive
394340$1,550222
Civic Hybrid
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, HEV · Front-Wheel Drive
374540$1,550222
  • Civic Hybrid
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L, HEV LB
    39 city · 42 hwy · $1,500/yr
    41
    mpg comb.
  • Civic Hybrid
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, HEV LB
    38 city · 45 hwy · $1,500/yr
    41
    mpg comb.
  • Civic Hybrid
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L, HEV
    39 city · 43 hwy · $1,550/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
  • Civic Hybrid
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, HEV
    37 city · 45 hwy · $1,550/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Civic Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (21), air bags (15), electrical system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid at 40–41 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026